Before they did that they use to have them in similar shelving like the pics Pro B posted. It was almost funny to walk into Game Stop Tuesday afternoon and see all the new Blu-rays available to purchase "used" for $12.99-$14.99. Because of the high price and small design they were an easy theft target since they could walk next door to Game Stop and get $6-8 cash for them or, if they were smart, eBay or Craigslist. I can't imagine Wal-Mart will continue to stock them like that before, but the shelves make it a pain for the spider-like security....unless they go the Toys R US route with printed game boxes you have to redeem for the product.

I would not call one shelf for hardware and software at Walmart massive promotion...especially since they are probably paying for the it.

Wal-mart pricing is at least close to Amazons...Best Buy is typically MSRP.

It's more or less an entire aisle, not just a shelf. I just want to know when they're supposed to be filled.

It's enough room for multiple copies of approx. (at least) 115 different titles, that's pretty damn big, especially when you consider most Walmarts up til now held less than 25 titles (in my experience at least, one of the walmarts in my hometown has stocked about 50 or so for some time). Plus, it isn't half bad considering Walmart has a somewhat limited range of DVDs (well, not limited, but the selection pales compared to say Best Buy.)

The funniest thing to me about this entire thing has been the empty shelves. They're reorganizing so they pulled most DVDs yesterday, yet there in all it's glory, a small collection of Casshern DVDs. Which, 4 years ago, would have been the last place I'd expect to see that movie.

Did Walmart help HD DVD? Apparently not.

Will it help Blu-Ray? Remains to be seen. I'm not going to call them the savior of HDM given their history with pretty much demanding foolscreen DVD's. I can just image all the 1.78:1 Blu-Ray's of scope films. -shudder-

Still, it's hard to deny Walmart is one of the most direct routes to the "average" consumer.

Should be interesting.

Nobody said it was going to blow it up, but it is a sign it's spreading. Walmart never dedicated a section to HD DVD, even with the HD-A2 promotion.

Short Circuit is nowhere to be found in stores here :(

Also, I can reconfirm the $289 Magnavox Blu-player for anyone that cares.

The Wal Mart near where I work (Poway, CA) just reconfigured their DVD section. They now have about 75 Blu Ray titles.

I'm going to pick up a title or two just to support Wal Mart's expansion of their Blu Ray inventory.

Wal-Mart didn't dedicate a section to Blu while the war was ongoing, either.

That's not the point I was going for, but okay...

Blu-ray has a big section at Wal-Mart because the BDA paid for it. Just like how they had 4 out of 5 endcaps at Best Buy. Just like the endcap at Target with the BDP300.

Will it make a difference? Well, we will see.

Waiting for link to proof BDA paid for Walmart displays. Not saying it's not possible, but once again things are being posted as fact with no proof.

I was just in there last weekend and there wasn't much at all. Do they have any players now besides the Sony 300?

You won't see any proof. I doubt Wal-mart decided to dedicate so much room to something that barely sells out of the goodness of their own hearts at most of their stores. There are a ton more things they could have put there that would be more profitable. But whatever.

Personally, I don't think it matters either way. If Wal-mart is doing it of its own volition, that's a good sign that retailer support is growing stronger. If the BDA is paying for it, that's a good sign that the BDA recognizes the continuing need to aggressively market Blu-ray and they're acting on it.

Like you, I don't care either way. It's common for grocery stores to sell shelf space and location, so it wouldn't be surprising if electronics stores did the same thing. Whichever the case it is, it seems to be a positive.

I dont care either way as long as the priced are cheaper or on par with Amazon. I would never buy a player from them though. Ive seem some nasty returns get reboxed and sold as new.

I agree. But my point is, posting things as fact with no proof quickly devolves a thread.

Someone can say "it is likely BDA paid for it based on past occurrences" or "I think BDA paid for it", and that's fine. But to outright state "BDA paid for it" without proof is inappropriate and irresponsible posting IMO.

By saying "I doubt Wal-mart decided...." you show you don't know it's a fact. So don't post it like it's a fact. That's all I'm saying.

100% correct. It is normal for retailers to sell their retail space to different products.

The BDA is buying this space in WalMart to increase sales, and that is a good thing. This is an investment, and hopefully one that pays off.

However, don't assume that WalMart is doing this because they have huge faith in BD. If it takes off, they will sell them. If not, the section will be pared down once the promotional money stops flowing. Simple as that.

Nielsens are in.. Can't post image since im on my iPhone.

I'll go ahead and say this one more time for the cheap seats.

I know retailers sell shelf space. I know it is a distinct possibility that is what has happened here.

However, it is a bad precedent to post as fact without some kind of confirmation. That goes for anything. Will it be confirmed? Almost certainly not. But that does not mean we should just start posting everything as fact we *believe* is true, or it will just be chaotic around here again.

Chronicles of Narnia was the #1 selling BD. Master and Commander didn't make the top 20.

And the key is that customers won't know or care who "paid" for it, either. But they will get more exposure to Blu-ray, which will be a good thing.

It's odd. Some people keep demanding more aggressive marketing from the BDA, yet now, when it starts happening, it is somehow tainted because the BDA might be involved.

Pics aren't the best quality, but these were posted on blu-ray.com:

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2.../IMAGE_075.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2.../IMAGE_076.jpg

Does everything about BD anger you? You consistently have the same pessimistic attitude in every thread. Very, very, very tiresome.

How many BD players do you own?